Premier League - Gill hits back at Benitez

Eurosport - Wed, 14 Jan 17:41:00 2009

Manchester United chief executive David Gill has fired back at Rafael Benitez, saying the Liverpool boss "missed the boat completely" by suggesting he had a conflict of interest.

2009 Manchester United David Gill - 0

Benitez, who had earlier accused United counterpart Sir Alex Ferguson of hypocrisy and serial whingeing, returned to the fray on Monday to point a finger at Gill, a senior figure at the Football Association.

"Is there a conflict of interest with David Gill at the FA?" asked Benitez, whose side could be overtaken by United at the top of the Premier League if the Red Devils win their two games in hand against Wigan and Bolton.

"That is another fact. It is a fact that one person has a lot of power and control, and is on a lot of committees in the FA. To me that is very strange."

But Gill, who was in Macau to launch United's 2009 tour of Asia, which will take them to China, South Korea, Indonesia and Malaysia, dismissed the comments as "pretty irrelevant in the grand scheme of things".

He said he acts on behalf of the 20 Premier League teams, not just United, in his role at the FA. Phil Gartside, chairman of Bolton Wanderers, and Premier League Chairman Dave Richards also sit on the association's board.

"I was elected over the summer by the Premier League clubs. I'm very clear in my role," he said. "I think it is totally incorrect to assert that (there is a conflict of interest).

"It's not how I work. I do not think I would have been elected for the last two years if that was the case... He missed the boat completely."

Ferguson has already responded to Benitez's initial comments, saying there was "a lot of venom" in what he said.

"He is obviously disturbed about something," Ferguson added after watching his English, European and world champions thump title rivals Chelsea 3-0 -- a day after Liverpool could manage only a goalless draw with Stoke.

"When he reflects on it he must realise what a ridiculous thing he is saying."

Until now, Benitez had enjoyed a fairly cordial relationship with his Manchester United counterpart.

The Spaniard has his own problems to sort out at Anfield, with reports saying he is in another stand-off with the club's American owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

Benitez reportedly wants the terms of his new contract to include complete control over transfer policy as well as a greater say over how the club's academy is run, although he has played this down.

"I don't have any problems at all with the American owners," he insisted to the Liverpool Echo.

Bentiez still has 18 months remaining on his existing contract, but said in November that negotiations had begun on new terms.

AFP

Comment 34 - 53 of 53

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  1. ""benitez is starting this war of words so to try and distract the media from liverpool's collapse."""

    Huh? Benitez 'started' it after Liverpool won 5-1 away. Liverpool have lost just once all season and are top of the league and also looking good for a 6th Champions League.

    How is that a collapse? A point away at Stoke is a 'collapse' is it?

    From Kim S, on Thu 15 Jan 9:59AM

  2. ""The English have a term for Ferguson as well, Winner""

    Benitez is a winner too and has won far more at his age than Fergie did.

    How long did it take Fergie to win a major domestic leage and the Champions League?

    Benitez won both by his mid 40s.

    Benitez has won the Champs League, Uefa Cup, La Liga, F.A Cup and is still a young manager.

    From Kim S, on Thu 15 Jan 9:56AM

  3. The English have a term for Ferguson as well, Winner

    From Chris, on Thu 15 Jan 8:45AM

  4. Benitez, certainly did not miss the boat.
    Ferguson always has behaved like a spoilt child throwing tantrums, and he's getting worse. The Australians have a term for the likes of Ferguson 'Whinging Pom'
    The match Ferguson and his bully boy M.U. supporters see and the match watched by, and listened to by the rest of the public, including the media, are clearly not the same thing.

    It is time the powers that be dealt with on pitch, and pitch side behavior, together with comments to the media by
    all match participants.

    From Caradoc, on Thu 15 Jan 5:20AM

  5. some of you guys need to get out more and stop thinking about things thats are above your station ;-)

    From trvr_mason, on Wed 14 Jan 10:26PM

  6. Rafa "Belly Pebbles"Benitez get well soon

    From mrstyches, on Wed 14 Jan 10:24PM

  7. RAFAEL "KIDNEY STONE" BENITEZ IS A DISTURBED FAT GUY... FERGIE'S MEANT ABOUT THE "VENOM" IS ACTUALLY RAFA'S KIDNEY STONE... HAHHAHAHHA... FERGIE IS A GENIUS, BUT RAFA IS NOT, SHAME ON U - MISSING THE BOAT RAFA...

    From Bali Tenno, on Wed 14 Jan 10:13PM

  8. Dear mr Gill will you bring manUre on a tour of Gaza and make sure old red nose has plenty of whisky for the journey, PS. dont come back, boom, boom,

    From donneysbeck, on Wed 14 Jan 10:12PM

  9. 44 no need to talk about rafa's health coz u never know you could be down yourself tomorrow

    From allan, on Wed 14 Jan 10:11PM

  10. no 1 at least betinez is entering into a war ,he may not win the war but he shall definately win a lot of battles.watch the space for the victories

    From allan, on Wed 14 Jan 10:08PM

  11. kai United have been down and when they were they still had a the biggest attendance .. But dont let facts get in the way of your bitterness .. Samir you lack so much islam must be very week if you are the fruit of it ..

    From Glenn T, on Wed 14 Jan 9:48PM

  12. Benitass is not even in a good health to attack people

    From Half A Brain, on Wed 14 Jan 9:33PM

  13. /we all know united cheat at every oppertunity this has been the fergie way...... don't worry he off in a few years so we can all enjoy the freefall that's we all hope is gonna happen.....

    The problem with ficle fans is they wont turn up every saturday if untited slide back into mid table will they.....?and for all of you who are going to say this wont happen it has happened in the past before.... Ac Milan... Juve... PSG.... Bayran Munich.. Napali.... Leeds (kinda) all these teams spent there time as the best around yet all have fallen at one time or another when everyine said it couldn't happen!

    From Kai R, on Wed 14 Jan 9:21PM

  14. David " Two Hats " Gill...........

    From Nicholas, on Wed 14 Jan 9:10PM

  15. why and how do man united get another ref to help them out
    before this game ends it will have its controvacy ; why because its steve bennett
    lets see what he gives tonight ; time off this message 20;45hrs
    everton fan bill west derby

    From William, on Wed 14 Jan 8:44PM

  16. I wish to advice you, post 16 samiridajal to report yourself to the police for your heartless, thoughtless and senseless comment about the jews. After that, you should check into a rehab because you are mentally unbalance. I urge all true football lovers irrespective of the club you support to continue to curse and pronounce woe to your remaining life here on earth. Put football aside, Rafa as a person is old enough to be your father. If you dont have respect for an ederly man, you dont have respect for humanity, then you are not fit to be alive. Shame on you!

    From oluwafemi, on Wed 14 Jan 8:33PM

  17. samiridajal post 16: I have reported this person as I consider him to be the most vile of people and the authorities need to be aware of him. As for the comments of Benitez,thanks for the best laugh I have had for along time. Now go pick up the toys you have thrown out of your pram and go sit down quietly theres a good little child.

    From max, on Wed 14 Jan 8:26PM

  18. samiridajal post 16:
    The likes of you are a danger to society and should be removed, literally. The only cure for the likes of you is a bullet through the head, and believe me, I wouldn't miss

    From sappercommando25, on Wed 14 Jan 8:07PM

  19. samifidajal - I've reported you and hopefully everyone else will aswell. Its d1ckheds like you that makes this world what it is today. One big war zone. Racist t**t.

    From Urban Knight, on Wed 14 Jan 7:54PM

  20. benitez! mind ur business!!

    From m309j, on Wed 14 Jan 7:46PM
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